The Story of Christmas by Mary Joslin


The Story of Christmas
Title : The Story of Christmas
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 0745969372
ISBN-10 : 9780745969374
Language : English
Format Type : Hardcover
Number of Pages : 32
Publication : First published September 20, 2013

A sumptuous presentation of the Bible story as it unfolds in the presence of heaven's angels Once, long ago, a baby was born in Bethlehem. Share the story at the heart of Christmas—the story of Mary and Joseph, the stable and the star, the infant Christ, and the good news of joy and peace. Celebrate each year with this timeless and beautiful retelling, illustrated throughout with a mixture of full page art, vignettes, and borders in sumptuous reds, purples, and majestic blues.

The Story of Christmas Reviews

  • Shinae Wyckoff

    Wow. The art is stunning! The text is concise, but works lots of helpful background information into the familiar storyline.
    I appreciate that the plot includes the wise men arriving when Jesus is around 2 (rather than the night of his birth), and concludes with the angel sending them to Egypt to flee Herod. Those details are represented differently in many children’s nativity stories to smooth out the storyline, but I like that this one includes them instead.

  • Vera Godley

    I was immediately drawn to this book because of the beautiful art. It is unusual in a children's book to see this particular style and coloration.
    description
    Reminiscent of Russian Christian icon artistry yet boldly abstract and modern. It will intrigue adults and enchant children.
    description
    The story, so timeless as told in the Bible, is not cutesied-up nor downplayed. It is told in a straightforward and beautiful story form. It begins, "Long ago, in the town of Nazareth, lived a woman named Mary." After the visit from the angel, Mary replies "I will do as God wants." What an opportunity to teach obedience to God's desire and will for our lives!

    The entire Christmas story is shared in this lovely book from the annunciation through the flight into Egypt.

    This will most likely be a book brought forth yearly and used for readings to draw the family closer to the truth of what Christmas is - the birth of the Christ child, Savior of mankind.

    About the author: Mary Joslin is married and has 3 grown up children. She began writing when her own children were still young and has since written books that have been published throughout the world. For Lion these include Our Father, The Tale of the Heaven Tree, Do the Angels Watch Close By?

    About the illustrator: Alida Massari is an Italian artist specialising in illustration for children including picture books and other children’s publishing. Alida was born in Roma where she grew up, she now lives in Cerveteri where she has been for the past five years. Cerveteri is a little ancient Etruscan town; this is something that Alida finds inspiration for her illustration work, like the architectural details of the ancient buildings. She also draws inspiration from ancient art, describing her work as “modern but with ancient atmosphere” - See more at:
    http://blog.advocate-art.com/2010/11/...

    DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy of The Story of Christmas by Kregel Publishing on behalf of Lion Hudson Children's books in exchange for my review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I received no compensation for this review.

  • Heidi

    Gorgeous illustrations accompany a faithful retelling of the birth of Christ. I appreciated that the part about the Magi was accurate and did not depict them with the shepherds at the stable, but instead at a house, as the text in Matthew says.

  • Bambi

    Love the illustrations, the colors!